Applications Projects
Langley Research Center Applications Projects
In addition to spinoff products, NASA's applications projects also represent
successful technology transfer. These projects contribute to Langley's
aerospace missions and also solve significant public sector or industrial
problems through the redesign of existing NASA technology. Often, these
projects also result in spinoff products, but their benefits to mankind
begin much earlier.
For instance, Langley's High Performance Computing and Communications/Information
Infrastructure Technology and Applications (HPCC/IITA) Program developed
an Internet access system for K-12 schools that provides up to an 80% cost
savings over standard connections. The commercialization outgrowth of this
system is ATLAS (the Affordable Technology to Link America's Schools),
a strategic plan to rapidly deploy the new connectivity design through
the training of personnel, implementation of the network, and partnerships.
The Virginia State HUD Office is negotiating with NASA to support the application
of ATLAS to the Neighborhood Networks (NN) Project within the state, and
Unified Research Laboratories (URLabs) of Virginia has signed a Memorandum
of Understanding with Langley to support the ATLAS goal to offer affordable
Internet connections to 70,000 K-12 school sites by the year 2000.
| A fiber-optic displacement sensor measures
the displacement of a THUNDER wafer. THUNDER is a NASA technology that
could make everything from speakers to heart pumps smaller and more efficient. |
Another current Langley applications project involves several new medical
device technologies resulting from the center's expertise in instrumentation
design and development and nondestructive measurement science. These include
devices for non-invasive evaluation of diaphragm function, diagnosis of
pressure ulcers, non-invasive intracranial pressure measurement, circumferential
pressure probe for urodynamics, and a CCD mosaic for digital mammography.
One device, for the evaluation of diaphragm function, utilizes an ultrasound
system positioned to view the lateral aspect of the diaphragm and automates
the selection of the internal and external views of the diaphragm recorded.
By judging and comparing the thickness of the diaphragm, a healthcare professional
can see if a ventilated patient is breathing on his or her own, since only
active breathing produces variations in thickness. The healthcare professional
can then judge the minimal pressure needed for a ventilator and gradually
increase the patient's independence by gradually reducing the pressure.
A Langley technology that could make everything from audio speakers
to heart pumps smaller and more efficient is THUNDER (Thin-Layer Composite-Unimorph
Piezoelectric Driver and Sensor). Piezoelectric materials generate mechanical
movement when subjected to an electric current and generate electrical
charge in response to mechanical stress. Langley researchers developed
a piezoelectric material that is superior in several ways to those that
are currently commercially available. It is tougher, should allow lower
voltage operation, has far greater displacement, has greater mechanical
load capacity, can be easily produced at a relatively low cost, and lends
itself well to mass production. For this technology, Research and Development
magazine presented Langley in 1996 with an R&D 100 Award, which
recognizes the innovators of the 100 most technologically significant new
products of the year. Six companies have signed Memoranda of Agreement
to commercially develop THUNDER technologies and more than 20 other companies
are negotiating agreements.
| ARNAV Systems, Inc. was one of the private
companies involved in an Olympic demonstration of new air traffic control
technologies. Their system was used to provide automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast
capability for aircraft operating within FAA temporary flight restricted
areas. |
Another applications project involved NASA, the FAA and industry partners,
which together provided the technology for a revolutionary new system used
during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games to move air traffic efficiently and
safely in uncontrolled airspace. The Olympics offered a rare opportunity
to demonstrate advanced communications/navigation/surveillance flight systems
for future air traffic management and emergency response.
The technology behind the system combines the use of digital data link
communications and Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite navigation
technologies, which provide pilots information about the positions of other
aircraft and ground-based GPS systems. Ground crews monitor aircraft positions
and then relay the information to the pilots. This enables the specially
equipped aircraft to perform self-dispatch operations in a "free flight"
mode.
ARNAV Systems, Inc., a member of NASA's Advanced General Aviation Transport
Experiment (AGATE), was one of the private companies involved in the Olympic
demonstration. Their VHF GeoNet digital data link network was used to provide
automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast capability for aircraft operating
within FAA temporary flight restricted areas.
Application projects originate in various ways, including from requests
for assistance from other government agencies or NASA technologists themselves.
Previous Page / Home
/ Contents / Next
page
|
